Public Comments

Title:	Umatilla Hatchery Programs (Umatilla River Spring Chinook, Fall Chinook, and Coho)
Description:	Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is proposing to continue funding the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), and Westland Irrigation District (WID) to implement the ongoing Umatilla River Spring Chinook, the Umatilla River Fall Chinook, and the Umatilla River Coho hatchery programs. The Umatilla Summer Steelhead Program was previously assessed in an environmental assessment completed in 2022, and no changes are proposed as part of this environmental review. BPA would fund activities such as broodstock collection, egg incubation, juvenile rearing, and release to support the three programs. Umatilla Hatchery Programs currently target the production and release of up to 810,000 spring Chinook smolts and 600,000 juvenile Umatilla fall Chinook. The Umatilla Coho Program acclimates and releases up to 500,000 Umatilla coho salmon. BPA has provided funding to these programs since the Umatilla Hatchery began operations in 1991 and proposes to continue funding within current production limits. Other elements under consideration for BPA funding related to the ongoing operations of these hatchery programs include the development of new long-term hatchery water sources at the Umatilla Hatchery; routine facility maintenance; equipment upgrades; and research, monitoring, and evaluation activities. Because the Umatilla Hatchery and most of its associated facilities have operated for over 30 years, hatchery infrastructure is currently outdated or deteriorating. For this reason, the hatchery and some satellite facilities need non-recurring maintenance actions to maintain, repair, or replace equipment. Equipment identified for replacement includes a water-chilling system, water-intake system, components of adult holding and sorting facilities, upgrades to support buildings and electrical systems, and other similar components. In addition, the Umatilla Hatchery uses a water supply system originally designed and constructed to produce 15,000 gallons per minute, which has declined in volume over time. This has limited the ability to meet fish production goals. Therefore, this proposal for continued BPA funding also considers additional options to remedy the declining water supply, including potential development of new wells, hatchery water-reuse systems, or improvements at acclimation sites to reduce water use.
Start Date:	2/13/2024
End Date:	3/14/2024
Related information:	https://www.bpa.gov/learn-and-participate/public-involvement-decisions/project-reviews/umatilla-hatchery

Bonneville Power Public Comments

Comments for Umatilla Hatchery Programs (Umatilla River Spring Chinook, Fall Chinook, and Coho)